LG G3 vs Samsung Galaxy S5: vote for the better phone

posted by Ray S.

Jul 25, 2014, 6:01 AM

Introduction

And here we are, ready for yet another face-off on the pages of PhoneArena that's going to determine the future of the galaxy. Well, not really, though we wouldn't be surprised if things get especially heated in the comments; after all, we're pitting two of the most popular flagships against each other here: the LG G3 and the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Instead of sticking with out traditional way of comparing phones, though, we're going to do something different – you, our readers, will be the ones determining the outcome of this match-up. You'll be able to vote for the handset you think is better in a number of categories, including design, display, user experience, and camera.

Needless to say, this confrontation will be way more intriguing if one doesn't just vote for their favorite in all categories, but really gives credit to the one that deserves it. For the purpose, we'll refrain from making our own comments or opinions, and will stick with more neutral, descriptive texts.

Design

Last year, the Galaxy S4 and G2 weren't that different in the design department, as both had pretty similar shapes, sizes, and material finishes, but things aren't that close this year with the S5 and G3. That's mostly because Samsung switched to a new style for the S5's back cover, which involves a softer finish with a dotted pattern that gives the phone a more unique look. On the other hand, though, LG has come up with a glossy plastic finish that imitates a brushed metal look in a pretty convincing way. Other than that, things look pretty familiar on the front, with the Galaxy S5 having the typical Samsung appearance, and the G3 aiming to impress with minimal bezels around the display. Minimal bezels or not, we still have to point out that the G3 is a significantly larger phone, and it also has physical keys that are positioned on its rear, instead of their standard location around the sides of the phone, as in the GS5.

Which design is better?

Display

If you just can have enough screen, the LG G3's larger-than-life 5.5” QHD panel will probably suit your needs. However, at 5.1 inches, the display of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is also quite healthily-sized, and its lower, 1080p resolution is still delivering great pixel density.

In terms of color reproduction, the question one has to answer is 'LCD or AMOLED?'. The particular incarnations of these technologies in the G3 and GS5 deliver completely different display experiences, so users really have to think twice before choosing their side. LCD is the tech that conforms to the standard sRGB color gamut, while AMOLED goes for a larger colorspace that, however, involves some significant color alterations, so various nuances and colors tend to appear differently from their references. In practice, that means that 'grass green' may appear more like 'olive green', or 'sky blue' may look like 'electric blue' on the AMOLED screen of the Galaxy S5. Basically, the dilemma here is whether you'd prefer the more realistic colors of the G3's display, or the overly-vibrant-but-off colors of the S5. Of course, there are other important differences between the two screens in question, such as brightness, color temperature, and other characteristics. Feel free to explore the detailed screen measurements below before making your choice!

The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set (area) of colors that a display can reproduce, with the sRGB colorspace (the highlighted triangle) serving as reference. The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x: CIE31' and 'y: CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.

The Color accuracy chart gives an idea of how close a display's measured colors are to their referential values. The first line holds the measured (actual) colors, while the second line holds the reference (target) colors. The closer the actual colors are to the target ones, the better.

The Grayscale accuracy chart shows whether a display has a correct white balance (balance between red, green and blue) across different levels of grey (from dark to bright). The closer the Actual colors are to the Target ones, the better.

Which display is better?

Interface and functionality

Both LG and Samsung made the switch to a flatter and more simplified user experience with their new flagships, but now it'll be you who's going to judge which one has done the better job. One major difference that we can point out with regards to their visuals is that TouchWiz sticks with a somewhat darker color theme, which is to be expected, having in mind that it's running on a phone with an AMOLED screen. Meanwhile, LG has gone for a brighter UI that also tries to be somewhat mature-looking (not overly jolly and colorful).

In terms of functionality, both handsets are choke-full of features and settings. Among the notable assets of the Galaxy S5 are its Ultra power saving mode, various Air gestures, and My Magazine news aggregator, while the G3 counters that with its own arsenal including the Smart Notice assistant, QSlide, and Smart keyboard. Obviously, there's something unique with both devices, as well as some shared functionality. Which type of experience appeals to you more: the LG one or the Samsung one?

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Which user experience is better?

Camera

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As far as camera specs are concerned, the Galaxy S5 “outpixels” the G3 with a 16 MP shooter, whereas the G3 has “only” 13 MP. Not a big difference anyway. The GS5 also features a slightly bigger camera sensor of 1 / 2.6” (vs 1 / 3.06” for the G3), as well as a slightly wider aperture of F2.2 (vs F2.4 for the G3). However, since the camera of the S5 has a higher resolution, that basically means that the pixels in both cameras are of the same size - 1.16 micron. Meanwhile, the LG G3 comes packing optical image stabilization, which allows it to use lower shutter speeds without introducing blur in the photos, which may prove to be beneficial in darker scenarios. In the final analysis, you'll have to take a nice and careful look at the camera samples below, before picking a winner in this category.

In terms of camera app options, the Galaxy S5 is the one to provide users with numerous settings, while the LG G3 stays relatively clean in this respect. Of course, one can always get more flexibility with a third-party app. At the end of the day, it's the quality of the images that's going to matter!

Sample Images

Sample Videos

Which camera is better?

Dropped your votes in all the polls above? Cool! Voting will be closed on Tuesday, July 29, and we'll analyze the results on Wednesday, so stay tuned! In the meantime, be sure to let us know what you think about this face-off in the comments below!

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